Date: Thu, 22 Apr 99 16:56:37 -0500
From: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Subject: [NGLTF PRESS] NH Set to Repeal Adoption Ban
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NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Betsy Gressler, Deputy Political Director
202-332-6483 ext. 3306
800-757-6476 pager
bgressler@ngltf.org
1700 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20009
www.ngltf.org
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NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE VOTES TO REPEAL ADOPTION BAN;
GOVERNOR COMMITTED TO SIGNING INTO LAW
"The Senate knew this bill was about supporting the best
interests of children seeking adoptive or foster parents"
-- Brendan Denehy, Out and Equal - New Hampshire
WASHINGTON, DC --- April 21, 1999 --- The National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force today celebrates the New Hampshire Senate's 18 to 6 passage
of a bill to repeal that state's 1988 ban on adoptions in which "one
or more of the adults is a homosexual." The bill, HB90, passed the
House on March 18, 1999. Governor Jeanne Shaheen has pledged to sign
the bill.
"This is a tremendous victory for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgendered families," said NGLTF executive director Kerry Lobel.
"But the real winners today are the overwhelming number of children
waiting to be adopted into loving, caring families. The best interests
of the children should always triumph over bigotry."
"We're very pleased that the measure passed. The Senate knew this bill
was about supporting the best interests of children seeking adoptive
or foster parents," stated Brendan Denehy, spokesperson for Out and
Equal - New Hampshire, the statewide GLBT group that lobbied for
passage of the measure. "We hope today's vote sends a message to other
states that being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered does not
disqualify them from being good parents."
After New Hampshire's repeal becomes law, only Florida will continue
to ban such adoptions, based on a 1977 law. This year, Arkansas
passed a regulation banning foster care and Utah banned adoptions of
children who are wards of the state. Similar anti-gay legislation has
been introduced this year in Texas, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Arizona.
New Jersey became the first state to mandate the GLBT and unmarried
couples should be evaluated using the same standards as heterosexual,
married couples. Some other states allow joint adoption as a matter
of common law. Three state Supreme Courts - Vermont, Massachusetts,
and New York - have expressly permitted second parent adoptions in
which a lesbian or gay man adopts a partner's child. Many states'
lower court have similar rulings. New York has enacted regulations
providing gay people the same level of eligibility in adoption as
non-GLBT applicants.
For more information, also contact Brendan Deheney, Out and Equal -
New Hampshire, 603/358-6160. For other state legislative activity,
please consult the 1999 Legislative Updates issued by the Task Force
at http://www.ngltf.org/legupdate99. For a complete review of 1998
activity, reference "Capital Gains and Losses," a state by state
review of GLBT and HIV/AIDS-related legislation at
http://www.ngltf.org/cgal98.
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Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society.
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